Apparatus for forming pleats in drapes



May 20, 1969 J. T. BoYEs 3,445,044

APPARATUS FOR FORMING PLEATS IN DRAPES Filed oct. 20. 1967 sheetv or s 2@ /7 5@ 25 26 5a 29 @e 2 f4) a;

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ATTOP/E'Y May 2o, 1969 vJ. T. BOYES 3,445,044

APPARATUS FOR FORMING PLEATS IN DRAPES Filed oct. 2o. 19e? sheet 2 of s TLS-f2 @Y f M May 20, 1969 J. T. BoYEs APPARATUS FOR FORMING PLEATS IN DRAPES Filed OCT.. 20, 1967 3 ors Sheet 47 E i [Eg-E TTOVEY United States Patent O U.S. Cl. 223-32 10 Claims ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE Apparatus including clamping assemblies for clamping each end of a drape panel, forming pleats in the panel, and suspending the panel horizontally over a steam table. The clamping assembly for the unpleated end of the panel includes upper and lower clamping bars. First spaced pleat forming members extend upward from the lower clamping bar surface, and the upper folds of the pleats are formed over these members. Second spaced pleat forming members are placed between the iirst members for forming the lower folds against the lower clamping bar. The first pleat forming members are guided for vertical movement in the lower clamping bar, and are supported on an iniiatable member which, when inated, raises these members to apply uniform tension to the pleats even though the pleats may not be of uniform depth. The pleat forming members are provided with appropriately placed resilient pads to prevent slippage of the material and preclude noticeable impressions in the material. The above-described mechanism securely clamps the unpleated end of the drape panel, so that panel may be stretched to desired length by the clamping assemblies.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to apparatus for conditioning drapes after dry cleaning to restore the original size and shape and to form semi-permanent pleats therein. The invention is an improvement of the apparatus described in applicants U.S. Patent 3,147,895 issued Sept. 8, 1964. In the apparatus of this type the oppostie ends of the drape panels are secured in clamping mechanisms which are movable relative to each other to stretch and suspend the drapes over a steam table, and the clamping mechanisms form pleats which extend the length of the suspended panels.

Since the panels must be clamped sufficiently tight for stretching the drapes during steaming, the clamping members may leave noticeable impressions in the material which detracts from the appearance of the finished drapes.

Furthermore, the clamping mechanisms may be ineIicient in regard to the time required by an operator to properly load the panels in the apparatus and to adjust the panels so that the pleats are uniform. If the pleat forming members do not have individual depth adjustment, the opeartor must be extremely careful in loading the panels to assure that the pleats are of uniform depth. If certain pleats are deeper than others, the deeper pleats will not be held sufficiently tightly and may slip from the form when the drape is stretched, with the result that the hemline of the finished panel will be irregular and unsightly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of this invention is to provide an improved mechanism for supporting drape panels in a conditioning apparatus of the character mentioned, wherein the panels are suspended in a manner to form soft pleats extending the length thereof.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved mechanism for forming pleats in drape panels,

3,445,044 Patented May 20, 1969 ICC which provides for easier loading of the panels by an operator and which produces a better finished appearance of the drapes.

A further object of this invention is to provide an im- Iproved mechanism for forming pleats in a drape panel, and for securely clamping the panel even though the pleats may not be of uniform depth.

The foregoing objects are accomplished by apparatus including clamping mechanisms providing a lower clamping surface, pleat forming members extending from the clamping surface for forming the upper or outward extending folds of the pleats, means engageable by an upper clamping surface for clamping the lower folds of the pleats to the lower clamping surface, the pleats forming members being movable in a diretcion perpendicular to the lower clamping surface, and an inflatable member for extending the pleat forming members to apply uniform tension to the pleats. The pleat forming members may be provided with resilient pads to eliminate impressions in the material and to prevent slippage of the material.

The novel features of the invention, as well as additional objects and advantages thereof, will be understood more fully from the following description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a side view of apparatus embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an end view of the apparatus of FIG. l showing the stationary clamping mechanism for the unpleated ends of the drape panels, partially broken away and shown in section as viewed along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1 looking in the direction of the appended arrows;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the stationary clamping mechanism, taken along the line 3 3 of FIG. 2 looking in the direction of the appended arrows;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view of a pleat form, as viewed along the line 4-4 of FIG. 3 looking in the direction of the appended arrows;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary end view of the stationary clamping mechanism as viewed from the right end of the mechanism as shown in FIG. 2;

FIGS. 6 and 7 are fragmentary end views of the stationary clamping mechanism as viewed from the left end of the mechanism as shown in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary View of a portion of the stationary clamping mechanism as viewed in FIG. 2, shown in the clamping position.

DESCRIPTION OF TH=E PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The apparatus illustrated in the drawings is very similar, in general construction, to the apparatus described and shown in the applicants above-mentioned IU.S. Patent 3,147,895; and reference may be had to said patent for a more complete description of the general construction of the apparatus.

'Referring particularly to FIG. l, the apparatus includes a horizontally disposed rectangular frame supported on four legs located adjacent to the corners of the frame, a side view of the frame being shown in FIG. 1 which illustrates one longitudinal side member 11 and supporting legs 13. Within the coniines of the rectangular frame is a horizontally disposed steam table (not shown) for emitting steam upwardly. Clamping mechanisms for supporting and clamping the ends of drape panels -14 are supported adjacent the opposite ends of the frame; a stationary clamping mechanism 116 for the unpleated ends of the drape panels being mounted at the left end of the frame, and a movable clamping mechanism 17 for the pleated ends of the drape panels being mounted on a carriage :18 which is movable longitudinally of the frame to adjust the distance between the two clamping mechanisms. The term pleated end of a drape panel refers to the upper end which is generally provided with sewn pleats; while the term unpleated end refers, of course, to the opposite or lower end. The carriage 18 is more fully described in applicants above-mentioned patent. In general, however, the carriage is moved along the frame by a mechanism actuated by the hand wheel 19 which is coupled to gears engaging racks 20 mounted on the lower faces of the frame side members 11. A suitable mechanism is provided for locking the carriage in a selected position.

The clamping mechanism 16, which will be described in greater detail hereafter, includes a base member in the form of an elongated box 23 which is secured in any suitable manner to the frame end member 12. The upper surface of the box defines a clamping surface, and vertical tubular columns 24 and 2=5 are mounted on the ends of the box extending upwardly to support a transverse support bar 26 for an upper clamping bar assembly. The upper clamping bar assembly includes a double acting air cylinder unit 2.7 mounted on the support bar 26, with its piston rod or plunger extending downward and supporting a bracket 28. An elongated clamping bar 29, generally coextensive with the box 23 between the columns 24 and 25, is attached to the bracket 28, and the lower surface of the clamping bar rwhich opposes the upper clamping surface of the box 23, may be provided with a bearing pad of resilient material such as rubber.

The clamping mechanism 17 for the pleated end is similar in structure including a base member in the form of an elonagted box 33 supported on the carriage 18 and defining a lorwer clamping surface, vertical support columns 34 supporting a support bar 36, and a double acting air cylinder unit .37 which reciprocates vertically the upper clamping bar 39 carried on bracket 38.

The stationary clamping mechanism 16 will now be described in detail with particular reference to FIGS. 2 through 8. As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the box 23 consists of end blocks 40 and `41, a bottom plate 42, outer and inner side plates 43 and 44 respectively, all fabricated into a rigid structure, and a top plate 45. The box 23 is rigidly secured to the frame end member .12 by any suitable means. The vertical tubular columns 24 and 25, for supporting the upper clamping bar assembly, are mounted on the end blocks 40 and 41.

=Within the box 21 there is provided a driving plate 46, which consists of an elongated metal plate member supported on the bottom plate 42 for longitudinal movement within the box. The Width of the driving plate 42 is substantially that of the box interior, so that the lateral movement is limited. Pairs of upwardly extending wedges 47 are mounted adjacent to the edges of the driving plate and spaced longitudinally, these lwedges dening inclined surfaces which are inclined upwardly from the right to the left end of the box as viewed in FIG. 2. A screw 48 is disposed longitudinally in the box 23 and is rotatably Supported in the end block 41 in a manner to prevent longitudinal movement. The screw is engaged with a nut 49, which is fixed to the right hand end of the driving plate 46, and a hand 'wheel 50 is fixed to the opposite end of the screw whereby the screw is rotated to longitudinally shift the driving plate 46.

A riser plate '52 comprises a horizontally disposed longitudinal metal plate member which is confined within the box 23 for vertical movement. Pairs of wedges `53 are mounted on the bottom face of the riser plate adjacent the edges thereof, and spaced longitudinally in generally vertical alignment Iwith the wedges 47 of the driving plate 46, in a manner such that longitudinal movement of the driving plate produces vertical movement of the riser plate through an inclined plane effect. An edge strip 54 is secured along the inner edge of the riser plate, and a stop bloc-k 55 is secured along the outer edge of the riser plate; the plate, with the edge strip and the stop block, defining a longitudinal channel for containing an elongated inflatable tube 56. The tube lS6 extends substantially the length of the riser plate, and is constructed of any suitable material and arranged to ylie iiat in cross section, when dellated, as best seen in FIG. 3. The riser plate 52 is provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced holes 5-7 which extend rvertically through the riser plate and attached stop block 5'5 adjacent the outer edge of the riser plate. The top plate 45 is provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced transverse slots 58, which are vertically aligned with the holes 57.

The holes 57 and slots 5-8 are provided for the guiding of T shaped pleat forms 60| best shown in FIG. 3; these pleat forms being constructed preferably of plywood. The outer edge of the pleat form stem is notched to accommodate a metal rod 61, which is secured to the stem within the notch and which extends downwardly from the base of the stern defining a 3/s" diameter guide rod. The pleat form stern is dimensioned to be received and guided for free vertical movement within one of the top plate slots l58, and the rod 61 is received and guided for free vertical movement within one of the vertically aligned holes I57 of the riser plate, so that the pleat form 60 is supported in a vertical plane for vertical movement, as will be described. As best seen in FIG. 3 when the inatable tube 56 is deflated, the lower edge of the pleat form stem rests on the stop block 55 to support the pleat form. 'Ihe upper edge of the pleat form is provided with a notch at the outer corner to accommodate an insert 63 of a resilient material such as rubber, to preclude slippage of the fabric on the pleat form. As best seen in FIG. 4, the inward extending arm of the pleat form is provided with a beveled portion 64 at its lower edge to direct the iiow of steam and drying air.

Other elements of the clamping mechanism are pleat fills 66 which, in use, are supported between the pleat forms. The pleat fills are also preferably made of plywood and are generally rectangular in shape, each having an integral arm extending therefrom and provided with a transverse hole having a suitable bushing. The pleat fills are supported upon a rod 68, which extends parallel to the box 23, extending substantially the length thereof; the ends of the rod being supported in suitable brackets 69 secured adjacent to the ends of the box. The pleat iill bushings are dimensioned, relative to the rod, in a manner that the iills may be pivoted or swung about the rod in generally vertical planes, and are slidable along the rod so that they may be positioned as desired or stored out of the way toward one side of the apparatus. In FIG. 3, the pleat ll 66a is shown in a stored position and the pleat lill 66C is shown in the clamping position. In the clamping position the lower edge of the fill is parallel with the top plate 45 of the box 23, and the upper edge of the iill is parallel to the lower edge and to the lower face of the upper clamping bar 29. The drapery material 14 is clamped vbetween the lower edge of the pleat iill and the top plate 45. The lower edge of the pleat ll 66 is notched to accommodate an insert 67 of resilient, rubberlike material for engaging the drape fabric; this insert being provided to preclude slippage and marking of the drapery fabric.

Each of the pleat iills is provided with a latch spring 70, best seen in FIGS. 3 and 5, which is generally U- shaped, as viewed from the edge of the pleat form; the latch spring being pivotally supported at one end in the pleat ill, and the free end having a hook 71 which is adapted to engage a latch bar 72. The latch bar 72 is an elongated member mounted on the outer side plate 43y of box 23, and is stepped to define upper and lower, downward facing latching surfaces. The latch bar is substantially coextensive with the box 23; and is mounted on the side plate thereof by means of hinges 73 which define a horizontal swinging axis along the top of the latch bar and spaced from the side plate as best seen in FIGS. 2

and 5. A lever 74 is mounted at one end of the bar 72 so that the operator may readily swing the latch bar outwardly from the side plate, as will `be described.

In FIG. 5 the latch bar is shown in full, in a position against the side plate 43, wherein the latch springs 70 may be latched in the desired manner. The latch bar is held in this position by means of a tension spring 75 which is connected between the lever 74 and the side plate 43 at a point above the latch bar. This spring maintains the latch bar at the indicated position by the over-center arrangement of the spring 75 in relation to the hinge axis of the latch bar. In this position, the pleat lill latch springs 70 may be engaged or latched with the lower latching surface as shown in FIG. 5, or `with the upper latching surface, as shown in FIG. 3. The function of the two latching positions will be described subsequently in connection with the operation of the apparatus. For the present, it may be said that the operator must individually latch each of the latch springs. yIn order to disengage the wires from the latch bar, the operator may swing the latch bar outwardly, by means of the lever 74, and the latch bar will then assume and maintain the position shown by the dotted lines in FIG. 3, again by the over-center action of the spring 75 in relation to the hinge axis of the latch bar. With the latch bar in this position, the latch springs 70 readily disengage from the latch bar, and the pleat fills are readily pivoted from the clamping position to the stored position.

The latch springs 70 are disengaged from the latch bar 72 automatically, by swinging the latch bar upward to the dotted line position shown in FIG. 5 when the upper clamping bar 29 is raised. As best seen in FIGS. 2, 6 and 7, this is accomplished by means of a trip rod 76 which is pivotally suspended from a suitable bracket 77 attached to the left end of the upper clamping bar. The trip rod is provided with an enlarged boss intermediate its ends for the purpose of engaging a trip bracket 78 which is attached to the latch bar 72 below the suspending bracket 77. The trip bracket 78 extends outwardly at a downward angle from the latch bar, when the latch bar is in the latching position, and is provided with a keyhole slot consisting of a narrow inner portion and an enlarged outer portion. The enlarged outer portion permits passage of the trip rod boss, while the narrow portion accommodates only the remaining portion of the rod. In the raised position of the clamping bar 29, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 7, the trip rod boss is suspended above the trip bracket 78, with the lower extension of the trip rod 76 passing through the keyhole slot. When the clamping bar 29 is lowered to the clamping position, as will be described, the trip rod boss will engage the trip bracket and be cammed outwardly until the boss passes through the enlarged portion of the bracket slot. The trip rod will then swing inwardly by its own weight so that the rod is positioned in the narrow portion of the trip bracket slot. When the clamping bar 29 is again raised, the trip rod boss engages and lifts the trip bracket 78 to swing the latch 'bar 72 outwardly as shown by the dotted lines in FIG. 6. The trip rod boss is again cammed outwardly by the bracket 78 and passes through the enlarged portion of the slot. The latch bar will 4be retained in this position by the tension spring 75 while the latch springs 70 are released merely by flipping the pleat fills 66 over the support rod 68 to the stored position.

Though not described, it will be apparent that the apparatus is provided with suitable conduits for connection with sources of steam and compressed air, and suitable Valves and controls for operation of the apparatus. The inflatable tube 56 is cyclically inflated with air and deflated; and this is controlled by a three-Way valve 80 which is normally biased to a position to vent the tube to atmosphere and which includes an actuator button for shifting the valve to a position to connect the tube with a source of pressurized air. As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 7, the valve 80 is mounted on the tubular column 24 by 6 means of a suitable bracket 81. A trip button 82 is mounted on the clamping bar 29 directly above the valve actuator button, by means of a suitable bracket; and this trip button is adjustable in a vertical direction to provide for proper timing of the valve operation.

The movable clamping mechanism 17 may lbe constructed similarly, or may preferably have pleat forms and pleat fills particularly designed to accommodate the sewn pleats as fully described in applicants above-mentioned patent. A special pleat fill 62 is illustrated in FIG. l.

OPERATION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The operation of the apparatus will now be described in connection with the finishing of a pair of drape panels 14, each panel having six pleats, as best shown in FIG. 2. It is assumed that the upper ends of the panels are provided with sewn pleats, and the pletaed ends of the panels 14 are loaded first in the movable clamping mechanism 17.

The unpleated or lower ends of the panels 14 are ythen loaded in the stationary clamping mechanism 16. The clamping bar 29 and its supporting bracket 28 are held in the raised position by the air cylinder unit 27; and two groups of six pleat forms 60 are inserted into the box 23, in longitudinal alignment with corresponding pleat forms for the pleated ends of the panels in the movable clamping mechanism 17. The riser plate 52 is adjusted vertically, by means of the hand wheel 50, to fix the height of the pleat forms relative to the top plate 4S, in accordance with the depth of the pleats for the particular panels being finished. The edges of the panels are first clamped against the top plate 45 of the box 23 by means of one or more pleat fills 6617 which are swung about the support rod 68 from the stored position to the clamping position. These pleat fills 66b are latched by engaging the respective latch springs 70 with the lower latching surface of the latch bar 72, as best shown in FIG. 5, wherein sufficient force is provided to maintain the edges of the panels in place during the balance of the loading. During this loading, the hems of the panels are aligned with a reference line such as the outer edge of the ibox 23. The upper folds of the six plea-ts, for each panel, are then formed over the pleat forms 60, the lower folds of the pleats being formed by tucking the material between the pleat forms. While the operator might normally have to exercise considerable care to assure that the six (or more) pelats are formed to a uniform depth, this requirement for extreme Acare is obviated by the present apparatus as will be described. During this loading process the pleat fills 66C may be swung into clamping position, as successiveI pleats are formed, and latched by engaging the respective latch springs 70 with the upper latching surface of the latching bar 72, as shown in FIG. 3. In this manner, the pleat fills 66C are secured in place, but some sliding movement of the material under the pleat fills may yet be permitted if desired. Unused pleat fills 66a are stored out of the way at one end of the box 23.

The air cylinder unit 27 is then actuated to lower the clamping bar 29 into engagement with the upper edges of the pleat lls 66, and to apply a downward force `to the pleat fills whereby the lower folds of the pleats are securely clamped between the pleat fills and the top plate 45 of the box 23. As best seen in FIG. 3, the resilient inserts 67 of the pleat fills engage the panel to prevent any slippage of the material due to a subsequent stretching of the panels between the clamping mechanisms 16 and 17.

At the terminal portion of the downward movement of the clamping bar, just prior to engagement with the pleat fills 66, theI three-Way valve for the inliatable tube 56 is engaged by the trip button 82 to actuate the valve to direct compressed air into the tube 56. The tube then iniiates, as best shown in FIG. 8, and moves the pleat fills upwardly, relative to the riser plate 52, to apply tension to the upper folds of the panel pleats. The tube 56 acts individually on the lower edges of pleat forms 60 applying a uniform force to the several pleat forms and therefore applying a uniform tension to each of the pleats. This uniform tension is applied, even though adjacent pleats may not have uniform depth, since the tube 56 may move the individual pleat forms to dierent heights relative to the riser plate, as seen in FIG. 8. It is important that the tension on the several pleats be uniform, particularly where a badly shrunken drape must be stretched to length by relative movement of the clamping mechanisms 16 and 17. In apparatus where the pleat forms are raised to a uniform height, the tension applied to a deeper pleat may be insufficient, thereby permitting the upper fold of that pleat to slip on the pleat form when the panel is stretched. This, of course, would result in an uneven hemline for the finished panel. Such slippage is obviated by the above-described mechanism which applies uniform tension to the pleats, even though there may be some irregularity in the depths of the pleats, and further by the provision of the resilient inserts 63 which engage the upper folds of the fabric.

The unpleated end of the drape is now completely loaded and clamped, and an appropriate valve is actuated to direct the live steam to the panels. Special steam jets may be provided to direct steam to the hem area which is secured by the pleat forms and pleat fills; and the beveled portions 64 of the pleat forms assist in directing the live steam to all portions of the fabric in this area. During the steaming, the carriage 18 is adjusted by means of the hand wheel 19 to move the clamping mechanism 17 to stretch the panels to the desired length. Due to the mounting of the panels in the -two clamping mechanisms 16 and 17, soft folds are formed along the entire length of the panels. Following the steaming of the panels, the panels may be dried by forced air, whereby the soft folds formed in the panels tend to remain permanent until the panels are again subjected to a cleaning process.

For removing the unpleated ends of the panels, an appropriate valve is actuated to effect the raising of the clamping bar 29 which, after initial movement, disengages the trip button 82 from the valve 80, permitting this valve to vent the inflatable tube 56; and the trip rod 76 engages the trip bracket 78 to swing the latch bar 72 upward, releasing the hold down tension on the pleat fills provided by the latch springs 70. The pleat fills 66 are then readily flipped about the support rod 68 to the stored position.

What is claimed is:

1. In apparatus for forming pleats in drapes, a clamping mechanism for supporting one end of a drape comprising:

an elongated clamping member providing an elongated clamping surface; a plurality of drape supporting forms supported in spaced relation yalong said clamping member and extending from said clamping surface for forming pleat folds extending outwardly from the clamping surface and accommodating the inwardly extending pleat folds therebetween;

means for engaging the inwardly extending pleat -folds and for clamping said folds against said clamping surface;

means in said clamping member guiding said forms for rectilinear movement in a direction transverse to said `clamping surface; an inflatable member disposed in said clamping member for urging said forms outward relative to said clamping surface, when infiated; and said inflatable member engaging said forms individually with a uniform force to apply a uniform tension to ythe several pleats of the drapes.

2. The invention set forth in claim 1:

wherein said forms are plate-like members movable in planes perpendicular to said elongated clamping `member and said clamping surface; said inflatable member comprising an elongated tube; and the iuner ends of said forms being supported adjacent to said tube to be engaged by said tube when said tube is inated.

3. The invention set for-th in claim 2:

wherein said clamping member includes an adjustable riser plate for supporting said forms; said riser plate being movable in a direction perpendicular Ito said clamping surface to position the outer ends of vsaid forms relative to said cla-mping surface, all of said forms being moved as a unit with said riser plate.

4. The invention set forth in claim 3:

wherein said inflatable :tube is supported on said riser plate for engagement with the inner ends of said forms.

5. The invention set forth in claim 4:

where-in the inner ends of said forms are spaced longi- Itudinally adjacent to said inflatable tube, to be acted upon individually by said tube.

6. The invention set forth in claim 1:

wherein said means for clamping the inwardly extending pleat folds comprises a second clamping member providing a second clamping surface opposing said first named clamping surface; means for moving said second clamping member toward and away from said first named clamping member;

and a plurality of drape engaging fills mounted to be positioned between said forms for clamping engagement between said clamping members; said fills effecting the clamping of the inwardly extending pleat folds.

7. The invention set forth in claim 6:

including valve means for alternately directing air into said tube to inflate said tube and venting air from said tube; means normally urging said valve means to the venting position; and a valve actuator mounted on said second clamping member for shifting said valve to the infiate position when said clamping member is in the clamping position.

8. The invention set forth in claim 6:

ywherein said first clamping member defines la lower' clamping surface and said second clamping member defines an upper clamping surface;

means on said first clamping member pivotally supporting said fills for movement between a clamping position and a stored position; a latch bar pivotally mounted on said first clamping member; means urging said latch bar to a 'latching position;

each of said fills having a latch spring for engagement with said latch bar to initially secure the fill in clamping position; and said latch springs being released when said latch bar is pivoted from the latching position.

9. The invention set forth in claim 8:

including a trip bracket secured to said 'latch bar; and a trip mechanism attached to said second clamping -member for engagement with said trip bracket; said ftrip mechanism pivoting said latch bar from ithe latching position when said second clamping member moves upward from the clamping position.

10. The invention set forth in claim 1:

wherein said forms include -a resilient edge surface for engagement with the drape fabric.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,837,257 6/ 1958 Gibson et al 223-30 3,147,895 9/ 1964 Boyes 223-30 X 3,190,512 6/1965 Nathanson 223-30 3,279,661 10/1966 Kirche 223-32 3,295,731 l/1967 Klint 223-32 JORDAN FRANKLIN, Primary Examiner.

GEORGE V. LARKIN, Assistant Examiner. 

